A faster and more powerful Nissan 350Z will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and it will go on sale in the UK in May.

Power increases from 296bhp to 309bhp, so Nissan says acceleration and responsiveness are both improved. No performance figures have yet been released, however.

Fuel consumption remains unchanged at 24.1mpg on the combined cycle, while a lower centre of gravity for the engine should also improve handling.

The bonnet of the car now has a slight bulge for the engine, while Nissan says that new Bridgestone tyres improve refinement and maintain high levels of grip.

New options for the range include a Temper Orange paint finish that looks green in soft light, and a pale grey interior option.

• Nissan hasn't released any images or information, but has said that an all-new model will also be unveiled at the Geneva show.

Dodge Demon Concept Goes on the Attack

It seems that one of the fastest growing segments of the automotive world is the affordable roadster, perhaps cashing in on all those baby boomers on the cusp of retiring, but want to have a sexy (empty nest) kind of ride. Dodge has just unveiled their Demon Concept, a two-seat convertible with a bit of an angry streak, marketed directly against the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, and Mazda MX-5. Because it is yet another open top roadster in the DaimlerChrysler family, you've got to wonder if Dr. Z is ready to scrap the Crossfire. There are certain elements on the Demon that remind me a Nissan 350Z, other parts that make me think of a Honda S2000, but the part of the car that really sticks out is that ultra aggressive nose. It's like it has a cross-hair in its teeth. Principle designer Jae Chung says that "while the iconic Dodge Viper is a dream car for many, the Dodge Demon is designed to be an attainable dream car." It'll tip the scales at 2600 pounds and come equipped with a 2.4L engine good for 172hp and 165 lbs-ft of torque.

Nissan buyout plan sends message on economic recruiting

A small tremor went through the Nissan auto manufacturing community this week when the plant announced a voluntary buyout plan for assembly line workers.

Company officials said they began offering employees a chance to leave because they simply don't need as many employees to turn out their products as demand from consumers changes.

Super Bowl XXIV: Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo commercial by Ridley Scott

We all know that watching the Super Bowl commercials can be more entertaining than the game sometimes. After the jump, you'll find the Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo TV spot directed by Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, Alien, Gladiator) that aired in 1990 during Super Bowl XXIV. The voiceover is of a man telling us about a dream he has where he's being chased by motorcycles, a racing car, and a plane, but nothing can catch him in the Z.Pretty cool, and given that Super Bowl XXIV was a lopsided blowout (49ers 55, Broncos 10 -- Montana w/ 5 TDs), the commercial was probably more interesting than the action on the field (especially if it aired late). According to the person who uploaded the video to YouTube, Nissan pulled the spot after its airing just that one time. Apparently, the brass thought it encouraged street racing.Because you know, without that commercial, no one would have ever thought to drive fast in the 300-horsepower sports coupe...Watch it after the jump.[Source: YouTube] .

Firefighters lift car, pull boy to safety

Firefighters and paramedics rescued a young boy who was trapped underneath a car in a Tuxedo parking lot this afternoon.

The boy, estimated to be about three years old, became trapped underneath a Nissan Altima driven by an elderly woman about 1:45 p.m. this afternoon in a parking lot at Doncaster Street and Willow Avenue, near the Manitoba Youth Centre and the Asper Jewish Community Campus.

It is unclear whether he ran up to the car or was hit unexpectedly, but he was stuck underneath the car�s front end until firefighters lifted the car and pulled him to safety.

The boy was crying and his nose was bleeding, but he appeared to not have any life-threatening injuries when an ambulance later whisked him away.